Manuel "Leite" Lima

Manuel “Leite” Lima

Dad was a provider, his greatest joy in life was knowing that his wife and kids were taken care of, he did not want us to go without like he did growing up. On a daily basis he would touch base to inquire if any of us needed anything, a ride to school, a cookie, melancia, queijo de Sao Jorge, peixe com batata did not matter what it was one of us would get a weekly surprise when we got home. His passion was being near the water/shore fishing, clamming, picking periwinkles and growing vegetables in his garden to harvest for the winter. He grew grapes to make sweet wine for his family and friends. He always wanted to share. “His fish will never taste the same.”

Dad was born in Ribeira Quente, Sao Miguel he was known as “Manuel Leite” he was a truck driver and would pick up friends and bring them to work on his way to work. When he returned we would go to the shore and either fish or catch crabs between the rocks. Dad served in the Military in Terceira Acores in 1968 and married the love of his life (Maria Helena Lima) in 1971. They came to the United States in February 1986 to provide a better life for his family.

Dad worked at Delken Companies as a machine operator and icemaker for the fishing vessels, Quaker Fabric as a janitor, did not matter where dad went everyone loved his sense of humor and willingness to help them in anyway that he could.

Upon his retirement he loved to spend time with his family especially his grandkids, driving them to school, going to football games, soccer games, dance recitals and sitting under the grape vine doing his crossword puzzles or watching and discussing movies with his granddaughter “Nadia” during their sleepovers. His grandkids loved when he was goofy and would play pranks on them. He loved to watch soccer his favorite team was “sporting”. He attended many soccer events with his son and taught his daughter how to garden.

Survivors are his wife, Maria Helena Lima of Westport, Sergio Lima, son, his wife Sheri and granddaughters Mariah and Gabriella of Dartmouth, Lenea Lima-Gendron, daughter, her husband Matthew, grandson Aidan and granddaughter Nadia also of Dartmouth and his brother Antonio Leite Lima his spouse, Alice Lima and nieces of Fall River.

A Memorial Mass for Manuel will be held on Thursday June 1, 2023 at Espirito Santo Church in Fall River for 10:00 A.M. Everyone is invited to meet directly at Church. There will be no Cemetery

Nosso querido pai sempre no nosso coracao e memorias, dormi em paz. Ti Amo.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to Perry Funeral Home, 111 Dartmouth Street, New Bedford MA.